Article delivery



Jan; 18, 1944. HQFFMAN 2,339,268

ARTICLE DELIVERY I Filed Oct. 2, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Samue/A Huffman ARTICLE DELIVERY Filed Oct. 2, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 l ming? INVENTOR Jamue/A. Huffman 1944- s. A. HUFFMAN ARTICLE DELIVERY Filed 001;. 2, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 18, 1944. s. A HUFFMAN ARTICLE DELIVERY Filed 001:. 2, .1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 18,- 1944. s. A. HUFFMAN ARTICLE DELIVERY Filed Oct. 2, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 E- v l? amt/52 mm NM. NM a MNN .UOCIII'oQ'O m MW ' Jan. 18, 1944. s. A. HUFFMAN ARTICLE DELIVERY Filed Oct. 2. 1939.

6 Sheets-Sheet 6 QJamUJXW/ fiman LALWA'A of articles.

or. the like.

. preferred .use.

Patented Jan. 18, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT DFF ICE ARTICLE DELIVERY Samuel A. Huffman, Avalon, Pa, assignor to Miller Printing Machinery 00., Pittsbu gh, Pa., acorporationofLPennsyIVania Application Octbher 2, 1939, SerialNo. Z9'Z,535.

26 Glaims.

This invention relates broadly, to the delivery It embodies: anumber of novelfeatures certain of which are applicable to thedelivery ofiarticles generally-that is to; say, without; specific restriction as to the particularchar- :acter of the; article being delivered. However,

Iam primarily interested in the delivery of sheets andv especially sheets of paper, cardboard and the: like, so the invention willherein bedescribed as exemplified in a method and" apparatus for delivering sheets, it being understood that .the

principles involved are in a number of instances applicable to the delivery of other'articles and that the invention in itsbroadest, aspect is not limited to sheet delivery.

The, apparatus, selected; for description, herein tqwexemplify the invention is, apparatus fordeli ering sheets from, a cylinder to apile; The cylinder may be the. cylinder of a. fiat bed, and

cylinder type printing press or it may be the cylinder of a creaser for cardboard box blanks The apparatus may also receive sheets from any other source from which sheets aretaken individually. While the" apparatus is illustrated as delivering sheets to a pile, the sheets may be. delivered to other mechanism for performing subsequent operations thereon. However', the invention has certain peculiar advantages in delivering sheets to a pile and this is its The invention contemplates a more effective control than has heretofore been obtainable of articles (the term she,ets" will be used hereinafter for simplicity to denote example articles) while being delivered singly to a delivery point and anobject of the inventionis to. insure proper delivery of sheets at thedelivery point While at the. same time adapting the apparatus to relatively high speed operation. The invention contemplates steadying the sheets immediately prior to. delivery, so that when they'are freed by the delivery means they will be properly positioned.

Iprefer to. employ suction to obtain this steadyingeffect. I- also provided for blowing the sheets upon release by thedelivery'means to assist in moving them properly toward their ultimate posi 7 then immediately moves rearwardlybut such rearward movement of. the carriage is, accompanied by movement. of the endless carrier here n that the portion of the endless carrier supporting the sheet remains substantially stationary while in engagement with the, sheet upon Such rear ward movement of, the carriage. Thusthe care riage isin, effectwithdrawn frombeneath the sheetwith littleor no tendency to carry the sheet with it inthe. rearward movement, Apparatus of this, type is disclosed in copending application Serial No. 207,734..

In apparatus of the type above referred to heretofore-employed the sheets are held down upon the endless. carrier from above by rollers which cooperate with .the, forward. endless car rier shaft so that, upon rearward movement of the carriage thesheets exit between the tor'ward endless carrier shaft and. such rollers Conseq en y the heets are contacted on both sides and if they have been freshly printed on their upper surfaces there is danger of smearing. the ink. Moreover, apparatus employing. rollers, for holding down the sheets as above described does not in all cases .deliVer the sheets in proper delivery. position, the, frictional contact of the 17,011:- ers on thesheets sometimes tending to interfere with proper delivery thereof.

I obviate alliof. the. disadvantages of delivery apparatus as above referred to by eliminating.

any contact with the sheets at their surface which are out of contact with the carriage. Normally the carriagewill operate generally horizontally-and the sheets will lie. thereon and in Such case the upper surfaces of the sheets are fre from contact, upon delivery. I provide for maintaining the sheets in position on the Carriage by suction and engaging the sheets only at their surfaces which-lie against the carriage. I, also which is to. receive them and are intended to falldownwardly thereon. However, and particularly in the casev of very light sheets, they may notfall fast enough to be clear of the carriage upon its livery point or mounted on the carriage at the forward end thereof and blowing the sheets downwardly. When the blower is stationarily mounted the trailing edges blown downwardly thereby, which ordinarily insures each sheet being clear of the carriage fore the carriage returns to the delivery point on its succeeding forward movement. Also the blower assists in controlling the delivery of the sheets to insure their being properly positioned on the pile or on a support to which they may bedelivered. i I

When the blower is mounted onthe carriage it is positioned abovethe path of. the sheet and blows a jet of air downwardly upon the sheet as the carriage is withdrawn frombeneath the sheet; Thusthe blower has a sort of brushing action on the sheet, acting first on the forward portion of the sheet and thereafter acting successively on portions of the sheet farther and fartherremoved from its forward edge as the carriage is withdrawn. A control valve may be and preferably is provided for the air, such valve being opened when the carriage approaches the forward end of its stroke and being closed after the carriage has moved backward sufficiently that theblower clears the delivered sheet.

.'The invention also contemplates other novel steps 'in the delivery of sheets and other articles and certain other novel features of delivery apparatus. These features will become apparent as thefollowing description of certain present preferred embodiments of the invention and certainpresent preferred methods of practicing the same proceeds. For example, I provide novel means for conducting fluid such as air for suction and for blowing and gas for ink drying burners between a stationary point at the side of the apparatus and the reciprocating carriage and novel control means therefor.

Inthe accompanying drawings I have shown certain present preferred embodiments of the invention and have illustrated certain present preferred methods of practicing the same,,in which Figure, 1 is a plan view of sheet delivery apparatus;

Figure 2 is an elevational view to enlarged scalev of a portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a portion of the apparatus at the left hand end thereof. viewing Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan View toenlarged scale of a portion'of the apparatus shown on the line VII-VII of Figure 5;

of the sheets qonsidered in the direction of delivery are preferably.

bus (not shown).

cross-sectional views through the valve as though .taken on the line XI-XI of Figure 10 and showing the valve in different positions;

Figure'13 is a horizontal transverse cross-sec- 'tional view through the valve as though taken on the line XIII-XIII of Figure 10 and showing .the valve in a still different position;

Figure 14 is a partial plan view of a modified form of sheet delivery apparatus;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary plan view to enlarged scale of a portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 14 showing the parts in a different position;

Figure 16 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional' View through the portion of the appara tus shown in Figure 15 and taken on the line XVI-XVI of that figure;

Figure 17 is a vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view to further enlarged scale through the air control valve employed in the apparatus shown in Figures 14, 15 and 16 and taken on the line XVII-XVII of Figure 15, portions, however, being shown in elevation; and

Figure 18 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line XVIII-XVIII of Figure 17.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 1 to 13, inclusive, reference numeral 2 designates a cylinder from which sheets are delivered to the delivery apparatus. The cylinder 2 may be the cylinder of a printing press or it may be the cylinder of a creaser. Sheets to be printed upon or creased are fed singly to the cylinder and pass thereabout and are operated upon while carried by the cylinder in known manner. The cylinder rotates in the counterclockwise direction viewing Figure 2. Each sheet is stripped from the cylin- "der 2 by strippers 3 operated in known manner. The strippers 3 1 which passes a sprocket chain 6. The sprocket chain 6 also meshes with a sprocket 1 fixed to a 'shaft 8 whereby the shaft 8 is driven constantly in the counterclockwise direction viewing Figure 2 whenever the cylinder 2 is rotating. The cylinder 2 is operated by any suitable source of power 1 and its speed is synchronized with the speed of operation of the delivery apparatus in known manner. Rollers 9 carried by a shaft l0 through arms I l are provided for use in conjunction with the cylinder to hold the sheets thereagainst if desired. In Figure 2 the rollers 9 are shown in operative position in solid lines and in raised inoperative position in chain lines. A shaft 12 carries through an arm l3 a tensioning sprocket id fortensioning the sprocket chain 6.

. The delivery apparatus comprises opposed side frame members 15 and suitable cross frame mem- The frame carries a drive shaft l6 driven through bevel gears H by a power shaft: is whichzmay derive its power fromrthe same source of power. as. rotates :the cylinder 2. The speed of rotation of the cylinder" and: the speed of reciprocation of r the @reciprocableisheet delivering. carriage: presentlyto. be described are synchronized. so that the carriage makesaa complete reciprocation cyclefor every. two revolutions of the cylinder, as a sheetis delivered from the cylinder. at every second revolution. The driving mechanism is adjusted:in.known mannerso that the carriage is in proper position .to receive axsheet from the cylinder. upon the passage thereof from the cylinder to the carriage.

The drive-shaft [6 extends through the-apparatus as shown in Figure 1 and carries at=the side of the apparatusopposite theibevel gears li 'l a driving pinion I9 meshing with a crank gear: 28 carrying a crank pin 21, the gearifi' beingcarried by a shaft 22; A gear segment 231s pivoted to the frame by a shaft '24 and a -pitman 25 has one end pivoted to the crank pin 2| andthe other end pivoted to a pin 26;oarried by the segment 23. The drive shaft l6 rotates unidirectionally and consequently the crank gear "does the same.

Through the pitman the'segment 23 is oscillated back and forth about the shaft 24 during operation of the apparatus. The segment 23 meshes with a pinion 21 fixed to'a hollow shaft 23, which shaft also carries a pair of drive gears 23, one at each end thereof, each of'the gears 29 meshing with a rack 39 -at onesid'e of and forming a part of the reciprocable carriage 3'1. Through the mechanism just described the carriage 3! is reciprocated back and forth during operation of the apparatus insynchronism with the delivery of sheets fromthe'cylinderzas-above explained.

Tapes 32 for conducting" the sheets from the cylinder 2 to the carriage 31- are trained about pulleys 33 fixed to the shaft 8' and also about pulleys s l'fixed to a shaft 35 and about't'ightner pulleys 35 each carried by'an arm 31 pivoted at 33. The shaft 8 has fixed thereto a gear 39 which meshes with a gear Ellfixed to-a shaft 4! so that the shafts 3' and M rotate-in unison, the shaft 8 in the counterclockwise direction and the shaft ll in the clockwise direction viewing Figure z. Trained about the shaft M and about rollers 42 are tapes #3. Each roller 12 is carried by a yoke M at the extremity of an arm 45' adjustablypositioned by a bracket '46. Thusthe tapes 32 and 3 partake of their endwise movement about stationarilymounted shafts, the upper-reach of each of the tapes 32- and thelower'reach of each of the tapes 43 moving from right to left viewing Figure 2. Sheets passing from the cylinder 2 enter between the upper reaches-of the tapes 32 and the lower reaches of the'tapes 43-. They are conveyed from right to left viewing Figure 2 while resting upon the upper reaches of thetapes 3E. The upper tapes 43 areprovided-as aprecautionary measure to insure that the sheets remain upon the tapes 32 in their forward movement. If the forward edgeof' a sheet shouldtend to blow up during advance'of the sheetit would en gage the lower reaches of" the tapes 4'3 and-would thus be constrained to remain in-plaoe upon the tapes 32. I have found that even sheets freshly printed on their upper surfaces can beadvanced between the tapes 32 and 43 without danger of smearing the ink as the tapes d3-comein contact with the sheets only in rare instances and then only with the forward edges thereof. The sheets advanced upon the tapes 32- are fedto the reciprocating carriage 3| as will presently-appear.

side frames: of the carriage 3!.

rearward movement.

In: Figure 1. most. of the: tapes 43; are; either; out 01f intermediate their ends or omitted for the sake of: clearnesszofithe. showing. It will be understood; that':normally: a.- tape; 43, is providedabove each .tape 32: l

Thereciprocating carriage 3] comprises an endless carrier: designated: generally by reference numeral which endless carrier comprises tapes -48 trainedrabout an. externally knurled hollow "shaft: 49atitherleft'whand extremity of the carrier 41 viewing'Figure 2;and about rollers 50 at the right hand: extremity of the carrier. Each ofthe rollers 50: is carried byaiyoke 5! which in turn is: carried .by. a cross shaft-52 the ends of which are mounted in brackets 53 connected with the The tapes 48 lie intermediate the tapes 32 and the shaft: 52 passes: between. the, upper, and lower reaches of the tapes 32. Thuswthe endless carrier 4.! and the carrier-formed by; the tapes32 cooperate so that'sheetsadvanced: upon the tapes 32 are fed to the upper reaches of the tapes 48. The parts are synchronized so that .a sheet is fedv tothe tapes 48 of the carrier 41 when. the carriage. istoward the rightor in its retracted or rearward position. 7

The shaft 49 carries at one end a gear liti'wh-ich' meshes with arack- 55 fixedly mounted on the frame of the apparatus.- Consequently asthe carriage 3|. reciprocates the gear 54, always remaining in mesh withthe rack 55, oscillates back andforth. The-gear 54' is operatively connected with the shaft 49- through an overrunning clutch 56 which is effective for causing the shaft 49 to turn with the gear 54 only when the carriage 3| "riage. Thuswhenthe'carriagefil moves toward the' left carrying a sheet'delivered to the carrier 47 by the tapesSZ the tapes dt'of the carrier 4'! do not partake of endwise movement but simply remain stationary with respect to the other parts of the carriage which moves bodily toward the left to the delivery point where it is desired to deliver the sheet The carriage stops when the sheet is at the delivery point and then begins its However, upon such rearward movement the clutch 56 connects the gear 54 with the shaft 49; so as to rotate such. shaft and. consequently the, tapes it of the carrier 41 l are moved in theirendwise travel in the counterclockwise direction about the shaft 9 and the rollers, fill. This movement is such that the upper reaches of the tapes 43 upon which the sheet rests remain substantially stationary relatively to the side frames of the, apparatus while in contact with the sheet, this being due to the fact that the outside; diameter. of the shaft All? is substantially' equal to the pitch diameter of the gear 54. As the carriage moves toward the right it is, in effect, withdrawn from under the sheet, but,

.due to the operation of the tapes 43 just described, there is no. substantial friction between the sheet and such. tapes during withdrawal of the carriage: and. consequently the sheet is deliverecl' at the-delivery point, and. is freeto fall upon a pile offsheets S-dshown in Figures 2 and;3

length of the carriage 3|.

spaced perforations 6 I is relieved. rwithdrawn from beneath a sheet which is being through the members 63 .in the tapes 48 cooperating therewith, be held down and steadied against the carrier 41. When.

The carriage 3| carries immediately to the rear ofthe shait 49 two transversely extending pipes 59 and 60. The pipe 59 is disposed above the pipe 60 and is of somewhat larger diameter than the pipe 60. The pipe 59 carries at spaced intervals suckers 6|, only two such suckers being shown in Figure 1 although it will be understood that any desired number thereof may be employed. The suckers 6| are disposed intermediate the tapes and their function is to suck down against the carrier 41. the forward edge of a sheet as such sheet is delivered to the carrier 41 from the tapes 32. Suction is applied to the suckers '6l throughout the greater portion of the forward travel of the carriage 3| as will presently appear. The suckers 6| are adjustably positionable on the pipe 59 by means of set screws 62. a

The pipe 59 also carries spaced suction members 63 each of which is disposed between the upper and lower reaches of one of the tapes and so as to contact with thebottom surface of the upper reach of a tape as shown in Figure '7.

Each of the suction members 63 is adjustably connected with the pipe 59 by a set screw 64. Any desired number of the suction members 63 may be provided. Each suction member 63 has a suction port 65 which is elongated in the direction of the Each tape 48 which overlies one of the suction members 63 contains 66 as shown in Figures 1, 5, '7 and 8. Only those tapes which cooperate with suction members 63 need be thus perforated although if desired for the sake of uniformity all of the tapes 48 may be perforated. Suction is applied to the suction members 63 upon rearward movement of the carriage 3| as will presently appear. At the same time suction to the suckers Consequently as the carriage is delivered such sheet will, by reason of the suction and the perforations 66 the carriage 3| begins its rearward movement the forward portion of the sheet being delivered will be over the suction members 63 so that at such time the forward portion of the sheet will be subjected to suction through the perforated tapes to steady it and hold it down against the carrier. As the carriage 3! moves toward the right the upper reaches of the tapes 48 remain, as above explained, substantially stationary with respect to the side frames of the apparatus and consequently with respect to the sheet and the suction members in effect move rearwardly or toward the right beneath such upper reaches. Thus the suction applied to the sheet is applied thereto progressively at points farther and farther removed from the forward edge of the sheet during the rearward movement of the carriage and as the carriage clears the sheet the suction on the sheet is, of course, entirely relieved.

Suction for the suckers 6| is applied through the pipe 69 and suction for the suction members 63 is applied through the pipe 59. The pipe 60 has spaced openings 61, one of which is connected by a hose 68 with each of the suckers 6| as shown in Figures 6 and 8. Those openings 61 which are not used at any particular time for connection with suckers 6| are closed by plugs 69. Similarly the pipe 59 has spaced openings 10, one of which is connectedby a hose H with each of the suction members 63 as shown in Figures '7 and 8.

Those openings 10 which are'not used at any particular time for connection with suction memapplied to the pipe 59 it is applied through such pipe to the suction members 63.

Control of suction to the pipes 59 and 60 is effected through a valve 13 shown in Figures 8 and 10, which valve is carried by a bracket 14 bolted to one of the racks 30 and which, therefore, is mounted on and moves with the reciprocating carriage 3|. such valve comprises a casing 14' having a port 15 at one side thereof (the left side, viewing Figure 4) for connection with a suction line 16, a port 11 for connection with the pipe 60 and a port 18 for connection with the pipe 59, the ports 11 and 18 both being disposed at the opposite side of the casing 14 from the port 15 (the right side, viewing Figure 4), and the port 11 being disposed above the level of the port 15 while the port 18 is disposed below the level of the port 15. A conduit 19 connects the port 11 with the pipe 60 and a conduit connects the port 18 with the pipe 59. The suction line 16 is connected with the port 15 by a conduit 8!. Within the casing 14' is the valve proper 13, which valve is rotatable within the casing.

The valve 13' is of circular cross section for a short distance from each of its upper and lower ends as shown at 12 in Figure 10 and intermediate such circular portions it is provided with a recess 15' (Figures 10, 11 and 12) which extends lengthwise of the valve opposite the level of the ports 11 and 15 and a recess 16' (Figures 10 and 13) which extends lengthwise of the valve opposite the level of the ports 15 and 18. The recesses 15' and 16' are in communication with each other at the central portion of the valve (that is, opposite the level of the port 15). The cross sectional shape of the valve 13 at the level of the port 11 is shown in Figures 11 and 12 and the cross sectional shape of the valve at the level of the port 18 is shown in Figure 13. As the drawings show, the valve at each of these points has a horizontal cross section of a circle with a segment cut off. The valve i shown in closed position in both of Figures 10 and 11 although Figure 11 has been turned clockwise relatively to its natural position on the sheet of drawings as a horizontal cross section through Figure 10 taken on the line XX in order that in Figure 11 the casing 14' will be oriented the same as it is oriented in Figure 4. In Figures 12 and 13 the casing 14 is also oriented the same as in Figures 4 and 11:

The central portion of the valve 13-that is to say, the portion opposite the level of the port |5may be of any suitable cross section providing for communication between the ports 11 and I5 through the recess 15 and providing for communication between the ports I5 and 18 through the recess T6. In the structure shown the central portionof the valve takes the form of a central circular stem I1. Thus when the valve is turned with the recess 15 to the right, viewing Figure 4 and as shown in Figure 12, the ports 15 and 11 are in communication with each other and when the valve is turned with the recess 16 to the right, viewing Figure 4, and as shown in Figure 13, the ports 15 and 18 are in communication with each other.

As shown in Figure 10 the casing 14' is in the form of a sleeve open at the top and bottom and the vertical distance between the upper face of the upper circular portion 12' of the valve "13' and the lower face of the lower circular portion 12' of the valve 13 is substantially equal to the height of the casing. Riveted to the valv at its bottom by a rivet 8! is a cam follower 83. At its upper end the valve has a threaded stem-85 which passes through an opening in a cam follower-82 and has applied thereto a nut 84, a compression spring 86 hearing between the nut 84 and the cam follower 82. Thus the cam followers 82 and 83 are pressed against the top and bottom of the valve and the top and bottom of the casingrespectively. The magnitude of such pressure may be determined by adjustment of the nut 8:1 and consequent adjustment of the pressur exerted by the spring 85. The connections between the cam followers 82 and 83 and the valve 13 are such that th valve and both of such cam followers rotate together in unison.

Connected with the frame of the apparatus i a bracket 88 carrying an upstanding pin earn as. The bracket 83 is connected with the-frame by screws 90 which .pass through slots 9| therein. The slots 9| are elongated in the direction of the length of the apparatus and provide for adjustment of the bracket 83 longitudinally thereof. A second bracket 92 is similarly connected with the frame by screws 93 passing through longitudinally elongated slots 94 in the bracket, this bracket 92 carrying an upstanding pin cam 95. A third bracket ,96 is bolted to'the frame by bolts 97 and carries upstanding pin cams 98 and 99. A the reciprocatingcarriage 3| move longitudinally of the apparatus the pin cams 89, 95, 98 and Stare interposed in the paths of the cam followers 32 and 83 in a manner now to be described whereby to operate the valve.

The pin cam 89 and 95 are disposed in the path of the lower cam follower 83 which has wings 83a and 83b as shown, for example, in Figure 11, and the pin earns 91% and 99 are disposed in the path of the upper cam follower 82 which has wings 82a, and 8% as shown, for example, in Figure 4. The carriage Si is shown in Figure 4 at or near the left hand end of its stroke, it being remembered thatFigure 4 is inverted relatively to Figure 1, so that in Figure 4 the forward movement of the carriage is toward the right. As the valve is shown in Figure 4 with the cam followers '82 and 83 in solid lines at the left of such figure, the valve is closed (Figure 11) and both of the ports 7'! and '18 are maintained out of communication with the port i5. Upon movement of the carriage toward the right, viewing Figure 4, the valve remains closed until the wing 83b of the lower cam follower '83 engages the pin cam 95, this resulting in turning of the valve from the position shown in Figure 11 to theposition shown in Figure 12 and thus establishing communication between the ports 15 and ll. Thi connects the suckers 6| with the suction line so that such suckers arev operative. This condition obtains during the forward movement of the carriage 3| toward the right viewing Figure 4 until the wing 82a, of the cam follower tit strikes the pin cam 98, this turning the valve to closed position (Figure 11) and renderinginoperative the suckers 6|. Immediately thereafter the wing 82?) of the cam follower'82 strikes the pin cam 99 which turns the valve to the position shown in Figure 13 inwhich communication is established between the ports 15 and 78. Communication is thereby established between the suction members 63 and the suction line. This condition obtains as the carriage reaches-the right-hand end of its stroke, viewing Figure .4, and-during the return stroke of the carriage t0- wardthe left until-the wing 83a of the cam follower 83"strikesthe pin cam 89, which returns thevalve T3 to closed positionas shown in Figures '4; '10 and -11. This cycle is repeated upon each reciprocation cycle of the carriage 3| and results in operation of the suckers BI and suction members 63 as above explained with the improved results herein pointed out.

The 1 carriage '3 carries a gas burner I00 having ports iii-i inits'top and extending transversely of the carriage asshown in Figures 1 and. 4. Amixcr is-provided at oneend for the burner lei": anelxa gas connection |03;enters-th e mixer where the gas is mi-xedwith air'tofsupply a combustible mixture to the burner -ports 'IDI. Such-combustible mixture is burnedto provide a heat zone through whichthe sheets pas forthcpurpose of drying ink therein if the sheetsare freshly printed. It will be noted that-the tapes itextendabove the burner, but as the burneriis continually moving back andforth during operation of the apparatus it willnotburnthe tapes. To avoid burning the tapes 4,3 automaticgascuton means may be provided operable upon shutting off of power to the apparatus so that when the apparatus is stopped the gas to the burner will automatically be cutoff. However, if the, apparatus is stopped'with the arts in uch relative position that the'burner is not under the tapes i3-thegas-need not be shutoff.

Thehollowshaift-ZS which carries thegearsZQ for reciprocating the carriage 3| also carrie a drum Sil ias shown in Figures land 9. The drum-1M isf xed to the shaft 278 to rotate therewith. Gas for the burner I is supplied. at I05 and the suction connectionfor theapparatusi s at I136 (Figure 1). The gas connection I05 and the suction connection I06. are sideby side and in alinement with the. hollow bore of the shaft 128. A flexible conduit It! is connected withthegas connection Hi5 anda flexible conduit I08 is con nected with the suction connection 106, such flexible conduits lying within the-hollow shaft-728 as shownin Figure 9s The flexible conduit for gas terminates in a nipple H39 communicating through a longitudinal passage ID witha radial passage in the drum I041. The flexibleconduit M8 for suctionterminates in a nipple i2 communicating through a longitudinal passage ||3 with aradialpassage H4- in the drum; Hi l. A flexible conduit H5 is connected at acne end with the suction line 76 (Figure-4) and at the other end with theouter extremity ii of.- the radial passage 1M in'the-drum IM. -A flexible conduit i ii isiconnected at one end with the;gas connection Hi3 (Figure 4) and at the other end with the outer extremity M ofthe radial passage ill .in the drum I04. Thu -a-gas conduit passes from thegas connection l flith-rough-the hollow shaft 28, the drum m4 and-the conduit I [l to the mixer Hi2 and asuction conduit passes from the suction connection I06 through thehollow shaft 28, the drum Hi4 and the conduit H5 to the valve 13. As: the drum 141s fastener titethe same shaft as carriesthe gears 2 9 andis of substantially the-same diameter as such gears (Figure 9), it automatically takesu p the slack in the flexible conduit-s1 5 and I"! upon reciproca-. tion of the carriage 3|. Grooves I I9 are provided in the surface of the drum to position the flexible conduits t l-5' and tl'lwhenwinding the same'gup. thereon. 'Ihe conduits are wound up on theidruin when; the carriage 3| moves toward the right viewing Figure 1 and are unwound therefrom when the carriage moves toward the left. Turning of the hollow shaft 20 upon reciprocation of the carriage 3| causes the flexible conduits I01 and I08 in the hollow shaft to twist about each other to a certain extent but they are left loose enough to allow for sufficient twisting so that they will not be unduly strained during operation of the apparatus. The shaft 28 ordinarily makes less than tworevolutions for each stroke of the carriage so that there is no substantial tendency to twist the conduits I01 and I08 sufficiently to impair their proper functioning.

A blower I20 is provided which is stationarily mounted on the frame at I2I (although being adjustable therealong), such blower having ports I22 in its under surface and being connected with a source of compressed air. The blower preferably-operates continuously during operation of the apparatus although means may if desired be provided whereby the blower willoperate intermittently. The blower is positioned above the trailing portions of the sheets as they are moved into delivery position by the carriage 3I. When the carriage 3| is withdrawn from beneath a sheet the blower blows air downwardly upon the portion of the sheet nearest the carriage, causing such portion of the sheet to move rapidly downwardly and thus clear the carriage upon the subsequent movement thereof to the delivery position. The blower also assiststhe sheets in settling in their final delivered position. Its position maybe adjusted longitudinally of the apparatus as may be desired.

1 In the form of apparatus shown in the drawings above referred to there is provided pile support I23 (Figures 2 and 3) upon which the sheets are delivered in a pile 58. The pile support and its operating mechanism may be of standard construction and need not be described in detail. Joggers I24 are provided for insuring proper arrangement of the sheets in the pile. The joggerslikewise may be operated by any appropriate means known in the art.

There is shown in Figures 14 to 18, inclusive, 9'. modified form of sheet delivery apparatus. In general such apparatus is the same as that above described and shown in Figures 1 to 13, inclusive. The apparatus of Figures 14 to 18, inclusive, differs from that of Figures 1 to 13, inclusive, only in that the blower instead of being stationarily mounted is carried by the reciprocable carriage. Parts of the structure of Figures 14 to 18, inclusive, which are the same as parts of the structure-of Figures 1 to 13, inclusive, are designated in Figures 14 to 18, inclusive, by the same referencenumerals as are applied to such part in Figures 1 to 13, inclusive.

The structure of Figures 14 to 18, inclusive, comprises a blower I25 in the form of a pipe having in its lower portion a continuous longitudinally extending slit I26 through which a jet of air is adapted to be discharged. The pipe is carried by suitable brackets I 2! connected with the frame of the reciprocable carriage 3I. At one end of the blower I25 an elbow I28 is connected thereto and connected with such elbow is a nipple I29 which receives one end of a flexible hose I30 the other end of which is received by a nipple I3I connected through an elbow I32 and a pipe I33 with'a valve I34. I

Mounted on the upper surface of one of the stationary side frame members I and fastened thereto by screws I35 is a longitudinally extending connector bar I36 having a base portion I31 and a top portion I38 whichoverhangs the base portion I31 at oppositesid es as shown in Figure 16. The connector bar I36 serves in the nature of a connecting track for fastening the valve I34 to the frame member'I5'. A fastening block I39 having in its lower portion a'T-slot I40receiving the upper portion ofthe connector bar I363 is slidable longitudinally thereof. The block I40 may be maintained 'in desired position longitudinally of the connector bar I36 by' a set screw I4I.

The casing of the valve I34 has a lateral projection I42 adapted to. overlie the block I39 and to be fastened to such block by screws I43. Thus the valve I34 is adjustably supported on thestationary side frame of the delivery apparatus and may be positioned at any desired point along'the connector bar I36. 7 v i The valve I34 comprises a casing having a cylindrical bore I44 extending vertically therethrough, a connecting portion I45 at whichthe pipe- I33 is connected to the valve so as to communicate with its bore I44 and an exhaust port I46 coaxial with the connecting portion I45 and also communicating with the bore I44. The casing also has a connecting portion I4'I with which is connected an elbow I48 communicating with a pipe I49 leading to the blower (not shown). The movable portion or plug of the valve I34 is designated I50 and comprises a generally cylindrical member fitting within the bore I44 and having an annular recess I52 extending thereabout' adjacent its lower end and so as to be opposite the air inlet through the connecting portion I4'I when theplug is in place in the casing. The plug also has an upwardly extending passage I53 communicating with the annular recess I52 and extending to the level of the connecting portion I45 and the exhaust port I46 and whose horizontal cross-sectional shap is shown in Figure 18. The upper end of the plug is reduced and threaded as shown at I54 and carries an abutment member or plate I55, a spacer I56, a valve operating member in the form of a yoke I51 and-a nut I58 for holding the parts tightly in place. By loosening the nut I58 the annular position of the yoke I51 relative to the plug I50 may be adjusted as desired. At its lower end the plug has threaded thereinto a screw I59 which passes through a plate I60 abutting the bottom of the casing, a compression coil spring I6I bearing between the plate I60 and the head of the screw I59. The effectof the spring I6I is to draw the plug I50 down into its proper operative position in the casing and hold it there.

The valve is shown in closed position in Figure 14 and in open position in Figures 15 to 18, inclusive. The yoke I51 has arms I62 and I63 respectively adapted to engage in a manner presentlyto be described a valve operating member I64 carried by the carriage 3 I. Fastened to a side frame of the carriage by bolts I65 is a bracket I66 to which is connected at its upper end by a bolt I61 an arm I68 carrying at its outer extremity a pin I69 rotatably carrying a roller I64 which constitutes the valve operating member. The bracket I66 may be positioned at any desired point longitudinally of the carriage.

In Figure 14 the carriage is retracted from its forward position and the valve is closed-that is, the air entering through the pipe I49 does not pass to the pipe I33; instead it passes out through the exhaust port I46 to the atmosphere and no jet of air is emitted by the blower I25. In this but lceneathcr against the under surface thereof,

ciosed position of the valve the passage v.l53 is out of communication with the pipe I 33 ,andin communication With' the exhaust port I46 as shown in dotted lines-in Figurel18. As the carriage moves forward, the valve operating member I64 strikes the inner surface of thearm 1.62 and turns the valve in the clockwise direction viewing Figures 14, 15 and '18t0 the position shown in solid lines inFigures 15 and 18 in which the passage I53 is in communication with the pipe I33. This results in admission of air to the blower I25 and the blowing of a jet of air downwardly through the slit I26. Upon return motion of the carriage the roller I64 engages the inner surface of the .arm I63, movingthe valve from the position shown in full lines in Figures 15 and 18 to the position shown in dotted lines in such figures and in full lines in Figure 14.

This shuts off the supply of air from the'blowerv I25 and the air is discharged through the exhaust port I46.

With the blower .I25..mounted on the carriage 3! as just described itis not in all cases essential to periodically cut off :the supply of air thereto, but the blower may be supplied with air continuously except under certain circumstances, as when operating upon very-thin sheets. Sometimes when very thin-sheets are being operated upon the jet of air upon the forward motion of the carriage tends to ruiilethe sheets in the pile. Consequently when :very thin sheets :are being operated upon itis preferable'to open-the valve to admit air to the blowerjust before the carriage reaches its forward position in which the sheet lying upon the carriage is positioned above the pile. This is provided for by proper positioning of the valve and theava'lve operating member I64. As the carriage begins .itsrearward movement the jet of air blown downwardly through the slit I25 first engages the forward' portion of the sheet and as the rearward movement of the carriage progresses engages successively portions of the sheet progressively farther and farther removed from its forward edge. The motion of the carriage is fast enough that theeffectof the air jet I upon the sheet is simply to .blowthe sheet downwardly and assist it in movingxproperly'and positively into position on theltop:of;the.pile and to clear the carriage upon thesubsequent forward movement thereof.

As the operation of theapparatus has been explained in connection with the description of the structures. above describedit :will not be repeated. The apparatus functions .in a highly efllcient manner to deliver sheets at high'spee'd and with improved precision. The suction and blower means for controlling the sheets during delivery are largely responsiblefor .the improved operation of my delivery apparatus. It is, of course, to be understood in .view'of the above disclosure that the word article as used in the claims means any article capable of being delivered by apparatus of .the type in :question. Primarily sheets are contemplated. as the articles to be delivered but, as mentioned .at the outset of this specification, certain ofthe features of the invention are applicable to the delivery of articles generally. Also, where reference is made to the delivery or carryingcf articles on a carrier or conveyor it is to be understood that unless the context plainly indicates otherwise the article need notnecessarily be carried upon the top of the conveyor. For example, certainof the featuresof the inventioncare applicableto apparatus in which articles may be carried bn' -a conveyor asffor'example, by suction.

"While I' haveshownanddescribed certain present preferred embodiments of the invention and certain present "preferred methods of practicing the same, it is to'be distinctly unders-toodthatthe inventionis not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the "scope of the following claims.

Iclaim:

l1. In the'art of delivering articles to a delivery point, advancing an article to the delivery point while holding the article "adjacent its forward end in the direction of :such advance by-movable holding means, stopping the holding means, releasing the forward end of -the article at or' adjacent the delivery point'and s'tea'dying the article by suction applied progressively at points end thereof immediately-prior to delivery thereof.

2. In the art of delivering articles, advancing an article atop a support which advances there with, maintaining the article in position on the support during such advance by suction and withdrawing the support from beneath the article while the article remains substantia'lly stationary inthe horizontal direction.

3. In the art of delivering articles, withdraw ingan-endless carrier support from supporting relationship with-respect to an article todeliver.

the same in horizontally stationary position while holding a-por'tion of the article against the carrier by suction, the-portion-of the carrier in contact .with the articlebeing substantially stationary during-suchcontact upon said withdrawal.

4. In the art of jdeliveringartic'les, :advancing an article while supported by a support comprising an endless :carrier 'by moving the support bodily forwardly, stopping such forward movement with the article directly above the point Eto which it is to "be delivered and then moving the support bodily rearwardly while maintaining the article supporting portion of the endless carrier substantially static-nary while in engagement with the article and 'steadying thearticleby contact therewith at the face of the article next the support only.

5. -In the art of delivering articles, advancing an article while supported bya support comprising an endless carrier by moving the support bodily forwardly and thereafter moving the support bodily rearwardly while maintaining the article supporting portion of the endless carrier substantially"stationarywhile in engagement with'the article and drawing thearticle toward the support by suction-through an element of the 'endless carrier adjacent the trailing edge of the support during the-rearward movement thereof.

6. In the -art-of delivering articles, advancing an article while supported by a support comprising an endless carrier by moving the sup-- port bodily rectilinearly forwardly and there-' after moving the support bodily rearwardly while maintaining-the article supporting portion of "the endless carrier substantially stationary while in'engagement with the article and during the bodily rearward movement of thesupport drawing the article toward the support'by suction applied thereto through perforations in the endless carrier.

-7. In the "art of delivering articles, advancing an articlewhile supportedby'a support comprising -a-n endless-carrier by moving "the "sup port bodily'forwardly and during such move-" ment drawing the. forward end of the article toward the support by suction and thereafter releasing such suction and moving the support bodily rearwardly while maintaining the article supporting portion of the endless carrier substantially stationary while in engagement with the article.

8. In the art of delivering articles, advancing an article while supported by a support comprising an endless carrier by moving the support bodily rectilinearly forwardly and during such movement drawing the article toward the support by suction and thereafter moving the support bodily rearwardly while maintaining the article supporting portion of the endless carrier substantially stationary while in engagement with the article. V

9. In the art of delivering articles, advancing an article while supported by a support comprising an endless carrier by moving the support bodily forwardly and during such movement drawing the forward end of the article toward the support by suction and thereafter releasing such suction and moving the support bodily rearwardly while maintaining the article supporting portion of the endless carrier substantially stationary while in engagement with the article and during the bodily rearward movement of the sup-,- port drawing the article toward the support by suction applied to the article successively at points farther and farther removed from the forward end of the article.

10. In the art of delivering articles, advancing an article while supported by a support comprising an endless carrier by moving the support bodily forwardly and during such movement drawing the forward end of the article toward the support by suction and thereafter releasing such suction and moving the support bodily rearwardly while maintaining the article supporting portion of the endless carrier substantially stationary while in engagement with the article and during the bodily rearward movement of the support drawing the article toward the support by suction applied to the article successively at points farther and farther removed from the forward end of the article until .the article isosubstantially clear of the support, at which timesuction is no longer applied thereto and the article is free to fall. a

11. In the art of delivering articles, advancing an article while supported by a support comprising an endless carrier by moving the support bodily forwardly and during such'movement drawing the forward end of the article toward the support by suction applied to the article independently of the endlesscarrier and thereafter releasing such suction and moving the support bodily rearwardly while maintaining the article supporting portion of the endless carrier substantially stationary while in engagement with the article and during the bodily rearward movement of the support drawing the article toward ,the support by suction applied to the article successively at points farther and farther removed from the forward end of the article through perforations in the endless carrier until the article is substantially clear of the support, at which time suction is no longer applied thereto and the article is free to fall.

12. Article delivery apparatus comprising an endless carrier support for an article, means for withdrawing such support from supporting relationship with respect to the article while main-- taining the portion ofthe carrier in contact with the article substantially stationary during contact thereof with the article upon said withdrawal and suction means for holding a portion of the article against the carrier adjacent the trailing edge thereof.

13. Article delivery apparatus comprising an endless carrier support for an article, means for moving said supportbodily forwardly while an articlef'is supported thereby and stopping such forward movement with the article directly above the point to which it is to be delivered and moving the support bodily rearwardly, means for maintaining the article supporting portion of the endless carrier substantially stationary while in engagement with the article upon said rearward movement of the support'and means for steadying the article by contact therewith at the face of thearticle next the support only.

14. Article delivery apparatus comprising an endless carrier support for an article, means for moving said support bodily forwardly while an article is supported thereby and thereafter moving the support bodily rearwardly, means for maintaining the articlesupporting portion of the endless carrier substantially stationary while in engagement withthe article upon said rearward movement of the support and suction means for drawing the article toward the support adjacent the forward edge of the support.

15. Article delivery apparatus comprising an endless carrier support for an article, means for moving said support bodily forwardly while an article is supported thereby and thereafter moving the support bodily rectilinearly rearwardly, means for maintaining the article supporting portion of the endless carrier substantially stationary while in engagement with the article upon said'rearward movement of the support and means for drawing the article toward the support by suction through an element of the endless carrier.

16. Article delivery apparatus comprising an endless carrier support for an article, means for moving said support bodily forwardly while an article is supported thereby and thereafter moving the support bodily rearwardly, means for maintaining the article supporting portion of the endless carrier substantially stationary while in engagement with the article upon said rearward movement of the support and suction means adacent the trailing edge of the support when the support is moving'rearwardly for drawing the article toward the support during the bodily rearward movement of the support, said suction means being so constructed and arranged as to apply suction to the article successively at points farther and farther removed from the forward end of the article.

17. Article delivery apparatus comprising an endless carrier support for an article, means for moving said support bodily forwardly while an article is supported thereby to a position in which the article is directly above the point to which it is to be delivered and thereafter moving the support bodily rearwardly, means for maintaining the article supporting portion of the endless carrier substantially stationary while in engagement with the article upon aid rearward movement of the support and means for drawing the article toward the support by suction during the bodily rearward movement of the support, said means being so constructed and arranged as to apply suction to the article through perforations in the endless'carrier. Y s

18. Article delivery apparatus comprising an endles carrier support for an article, means for moving said support bodily forwardly while an article is supported thereby and thereafter moving the support bodily rearwardly, means for drawing the forward end of the article toward the support by suction during substantially the entire forward movement thereof and means for maintaining the article supporting portion of the endless carrier substantially stationary while in engagement with the article upon said rearward movement of the support.

19. Article delivery apparatus comprising an endless carrier support for an article, means for moving said support bodily forwardly while an article is supported thereby and thereafter moving the support bodily rearwardly, mean for drawing the forward end of the article toward the support by suction during the forward movement thereof, means for releasing such suction, means for maintaining the article supporting portion of the endless carrier substantially stationary while in engagement with the article upon said rearward movement of the support and suction mean for drawing the article toward the support during the bodily rearward movement of the support, said suction means being so constructed and arranged as to apply suction to the article successively at points farther and farther removed from the forward end of the article.

20. Article delivery apparatus comprising a reciprocable carriage, endless conveying means carried by said carriage, means for imparting endwise movement to said endless conveying means upon movement of the carriage in one direction, suction means associated with said carriage for applying suction through said endless conveying means to articles carried thereby, control means periodically operable for applying suction to said suction means and cutting off such suction and means operable upon reciprocation of the carriage for operating said control means.

21. Article delivery apparatus comprising a reciprocable carriage, a flexible fluid conduit connected with said carriage and a drum about which said conduit is adapted to be wound upon movement of the carriage in one direction.

22. Article delivery apparatus comprising a reciprocable carriage, a flexible fluid conduit connected with said carriage and a drum with which said conduit is connected and about which said conduit is adapted to be wound upon movement of the carriage in one direction, the drum having a fluid connection entering the same substantially axially and connecting with said conduit.

23. Article delivery apparatus comprising a reciprocable carriage, a length of flexible fluid conduit connected therewith, a hollow shaft, a drum on said shaft about which the conduit is wound upon movement of the carriage in one direction and a further length of flexible fluid conduit extending through said hollow shaft to the drum and connected with the first mentioned length of flexible fluid conduit.

24. Article delivery apparatus comprising a support for an article, means for advancing the support with an article. carried thereby and withdrawing the support from supporting relationship with respect to the article and means movable with the support but mounted beyond the end of the support for blowing an article to assist in moving the article to delivered position,

25. Article delivery apparatus comprising a support for an article, means for advancing the support with an article carried thereby and withdrawing the upport from supporting relationship with respect to the article and means movable with the support but mounted beyond the end of the support for blowing an article to assist in moving the article to delivered position, said last mentioned means being disposed so as to blow a portion of the article ofiset from the support during withdrawal of the support from supporting relationship with respect to such article.

26. Article delivery apparatus comprising means for advancing an article to a delivery point, means for holding the article adjacent its forward end during such advance, means for stopping the holding means when the article has substantially reached the delivery point and means for steadying the article by suction applied propressively along its under surface at the delivery point immediately prior to delivery thereof.

' SAMUEL A. HUFFMAN. 

